Here are the latest updates from Japan and beyond on the coronavirus outbreak:
Women wearing kimono and face masks walk in Kyoto on April 23, 2021. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency the same day in Tokyo and the western Japan prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo amid a rapid resurgence of coronavirus infections. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
As of 11 p.m., Saturday, April 24
- Japan reported on Saturday more than 5,500 new coronavirus cases, the highest in over three months, as Tokyo and other areas prepare to come under a third state of emergency to curb a rapid surge in infections.
- Six-time Canadian Olympian and International Olympic Committee Athletes' Commission member Hayley Wickenheiser has called for medical experts to be the sole arbiters of whether the Tokyo Games go ahead amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported Friday.
- Nippon Professional Baseball decided Saturday to hold games behind closed doors at stadiums affected by the new coronavirus state of emergency through May 11.
- Japan's prefectural governors on Saturday asked the central government to provide financial support for businesses across the country, a day after a fresh state of emergency was declared in Tokyo and other areas as coronavirus case numbers surge.
- Changes in people's lifestyle habits during the coronavirus pandemic have been reflected in their pets, a Japanese survey has shown, with many participants saying their dogs seek extra attention with more people regularly at home.
- U.S. health authorities said Friday that the use of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus vaccine can be resumed immediately, emphasizing its safety after a few blood clot cases led them to recommend a pause on April 13.
- Japan's Tokyo Olympic torch relay suffered its first total cancellation on Friday when Okinawa Prefecture organizers announced the May 2 leg in Miyakojima will not be run at all, and no events will be held.
As of 11 p.m., Friday, April 23
- Japan's fresh state of emergency over the coronavirus pandemic threatens to nip hopes for an economic recovery in the bud by further weakening consumption, economists warned.
- Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga declared a state of emergency Friday in Tokyo and the western Japan prefectures of Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo in an effort to curb a surge in COVID-19 cases during the upcoming Golden Week holidays.
- The International Olympic Committee and four other organizers of this summer's Tokyo Games plan to hold a high-level meeting next week to discuss domestic spectators, the chief of the Japanese organizing body said Friday.
Japan and beyond: Week in Photos - April 17~23
Organizing staff members of the Tokyo Olympic torch relay hold signs urging spectators to wear masks and maintain social distancing in the Oita Prefecture city of Beppu, southwestern Japan, on April 23, 2021, amid the coronavirus pandemic. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Useful resources for foreign residents and visitors in Japan
- Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Tokyo Coronavirus Support Center for Foreign Residents (TOCOS)" multilingual hotline
- Available in Simple Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali, Indonesian, Tagalog, Thai, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Khmer, and Burmese, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays except national holidays.
0120-296-004 (toll free)
https://www.seikatubunka.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/chiiki_tabunka/tabunka/tabunkasuishin/0000001452.html - AMDA Medical Information Center's "Multilingual Consultation Service"
- Available in Simple Japanese and English, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Also available in Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, and Vietnamese on designated weekdays. Check schedule here.
03-6233-9266 - Tokyo Metropolitan Government's COVID-19 info
https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/ - Tokyo Metropolitan Government hotline
https://stopcovid19.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/en/contacts
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (including weekends and holidays)
0570-550571
- Available via fax for those with hearing impairments
03-5388-1396 - Japan National Tourism Organization's "Guide for when you are feeling ill"
- Multilingual clinic/hospital search available in English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese
https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html - JNTO's "Japan Visitor Hotline"
https://www.japan.travel/en/plan/hotline/
- Available in English, Chinese, Korean and Japanese 24 hours a day
050-3816-2787
+81-50-3816-2787 (from overseas) - Japan's health ministry hotline
- Available in Japanese only, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
0120-565653 - World Health Organization's "Q&A on coronaviruses"
https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses
